Investing in the UK: everything you need to know
Investing is one of two ways you can get exposure to financial markets. Learn how to get started, the different investment vehicles you can get exposure to, and the risk involved.
Call 0800 195 3100 or email newaccounts.uk@ig.com to talk about opening a trading account.
Investing essentials
When investing through the IG Invest app or our web platform, you'll buy assets like shares, funds or bond ETFs to own outright, with the aim of making a profit over time. There are two ways to make money from an investment -- when the value of the asset appreciates, and from dividend payments – if the company grants them.
How to start investing: shares, ETFs and bonds
How to invest in shares
Discover how to buy and own company shares with us using our share dealing account. There are 11,000+ international shares to invest in to own a piece of the company.
How to invest in ETFs and funds
Use exchange traded funds (ETFs) to invest in a collection of stocks that fit a particular theme to get exposure through a single point of entry.
How to invest in bonds
Learn how to buy and sell corporate and government bonds and bond ETFs to diversify your portfolio and receive interest on the investment for the duration of the term.
How to invest in property
Learn more about buying income-producing real estate assets that are publicly listed and get dividend payments paid out to investors from rental income.
Investment products in the UK
Share dealing
Buy and hold thousands of global shares, funds, and investment trusts using our award-winning1 share dealing platform.
Smart Portfolios
Reach your financial goals sooner. Choose from a wide range of tailored portfolios that suit your risk profile and are expertly handled by our wealth managers.
How to invest in bonds
Learn how to buy and sell corporate and government bonds and bond ETFs to diversify your portfolio and receive interest on the investment for the duration of the term.
How to invest in property
Learn more about buying income-producing real estate assets that are publicly listed and get dividend payments paid out to investors from rental income.
ISA and pension funds
ISAs
Open an Individual Savings Account to get favourable tax breaks from the government and protect your investment when you earn income, dividends or capital gains.2
SIPPs
Create a self-invested personal pension (SIPP) to buy and own assets intended for your retirement and get tax2 relief on your investment.
How to invest in bonds
Learn how to buy and sell corporate and government bonds and bond ETFs to diversify your portfolio and receive interest on the investment for the duration of the term.
How to invest in property
Learn more about buying income-producing real estate assets that are publicly listed and get dividend payments paid out to investors from rental income.
Why choose IG Invest
Commission-free trading on stocks
Buy 13,000+ shares, funds and investment trusts instantly
Secure login with face or fingerprint ID
24/5 customer support via the app and WhatsApp
Earn up to 4.5% interest* on cash with selected ETFs
* Interest-earning ETFs are tied to the SONIA benchmark rate. From 1 April 2025 AER (interest earned) applies to uninvested cash in your account.
Getting started is easy
Download the IG Invest app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
Set up your profile in minutes
Choose between a General Investment Account or ISA
Start building your portfolio
Latest investment news
Live share, ETF and bond ETF prices
Invest in thousands of global brands, ETFs and bonds ETFs using our share dealing account and earn dividend payments if the company grants them. You can buy and own a small piece of the brands you love and have voting rights on company matters. We offer more than 15,000 markets that you can invest in.
Out-of-hours share prices
Take advantage of multiple investment opportunities when the market has closed so that you don’t miss out on getting exposure. Our after-hours offering gives you access to the most popular US shares, ETFs and bond ETFs when there’s a lot of volatility in price due to the low number of active investors.
When there’s volatility, there tends to be a lot of risk involved in investing after-hours. This is because there’s reduced liquidity and wider spreads, which can move the price quickly in either direction. You’ll have to take necessary steps to manage your risk.
Here’s a list of top US shares you can trade out-of-hours with us:
Free investing resources for UK traders
- Improve your knowledge base on how investing works using our extensive resource tools that are available on IG Academy
- Stay in the know on everything that’s happening in different markets by checking out our news updates before you get exposure
- Learn more about different investment strategies and styles you can use when investing, and learn how to improve your chances of success
What is investing?
Investing is buying and holding an asset with the aim of making a profit in the long run if the market price appreciates. You can invest in shares, ETFs, bonds and more through the IG Invest app or share dealing on our web platform.
How can beginners start investing in the UK?
Getting started is simple: download the IG Invest app, choose your account type (General Investment Account or ISA) and start exploring our marketplace of 13,000+ global stocks and ETFs. You can also open a share dealing account through our web platform and get access to global shares, funds and investment trusts.
How can I choose the best investment platform?
Look for platforms that offer a wide range of investments, competitive fees and excellent customer support. IG Invest provides commission-free trading on shares, access to 15,000+ global markets and 24/5 customer support.
Try these next
Explore the ins and outs of share dealing and learn how to get started
Discover what an expertly managed Smart Portfolio has to offer
Find out what you'll pay when investing with the world's No.12
1 Voted 2024 Best share dealing platform at the Your Money.co.uk Investment Awards
2 Tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Tax law may differ in a jurisdiction other than the UK.
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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Professional clients trading spread bets and CFDs can lose more than they deposit.
Options and futures are complex instruments which come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. They’re not suitable for most investors. Before you invest, you should consider whether you understand how options and futures work, the risks of trading these instruments and whether you can afford to lose more than your original investment.
Trading stocks and shares ‘on margin’ within a US options and futures account – meaning that you only finance part of the cost of acquiring a position in a security – carries additional risks over buying securities on a fully funded basis and may result in losses exceeding your original investment. Trading on margin will also result in additional costs to you as the investor and any securities purchased using margin may be held as collateral by the lender, restricting both your rights as shareholder, and your ability to use the securities until the margin trade is closed. You should familiarise yourself with these risks before trading on margin.
The value of shares, ETFs and other ETPs bought through a share dealing account, a US options and futures account, a stocks and shares ISA or a SIPP can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Some ETPs carry additional risks depending on how they’re structured, investors should ensure they familiarise themselves with the differences before investing.
Share dealing and IG Smart Portfolio accounts provided by IG Trading and Investments Ltd, CFD accounts and US options and futures accounts are provided by IG Markets Ltd, spread betting provided by IG Index Ltd.
IG is a trading name of IG Trading and Investments Ltd (a company registered in England and Wales under number 11628764), IG Markets Ltd (a company registered in England and Wales under number 04008957) and IG Index Ltd (a company registered in England and Wales under number 01190902). Registered address at Cannon Bridge House, 25 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2YA. IG Markets Ltd (Register number 195355), IG Trading and Investments Ltd (Register Number 944492) and IG Index Ltd (Register number 114059) are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The information on this site isn’t directed at residents of the United States, Belgium or any particular country outside the UK and isn’t intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.